Staff report
A JROTC instructor is on administrative leave from West Rowan High School after authorities charged him over the weekend with sex offenses involving two West Rowan students.
Sgt. First Class Ricky Jelen, 46, of 1640 Shadow Creek St., N.W., Concord, was charged Saturday with two felony counts of taking indecent liberties with a student.
Jelen was hired by the school system Feb. 17, 2006.
“He has been at West Rowan since he was hired,” school system spokeswoman Rita Foil said. She wouldn’t disclose where Jelen worked before his hire date.
Foil said Jelen is on leave pending the outcome of the investigation into the charges.
The Rowan County Sheriff’s Office said Monday the victims are two students at the school, but department officials would not discuss the investigation in further detail.
An arrest warrant filed over the weekend at the Rowan County Magistrate’s Office, on which Jelen is listed as a teacher, identified one victim as a 16-year-old female student. The age of the other victim was not available Monday.
The Post does not name the victims of sex crimes.
Jelen was released from the Rowan County Detention Center after posting $1,000 bond.